CA2197949C - Optimized gripper block for coiled tubing injectors - Google Patents
Optimized gripper block for coiled tubing injectors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2197949C CA2197949C CA002197949A CA2197949A CA2197949C CA 2197949 C CA2197949 C CA 2197949C CA 002197949 A CA002197949 A CA 002197949A CA 2197949 A CA2197949 A CA 2197949A CA 2197949 C CA2197949 C CA 2197949C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- gripper
- block
- chain
- gripper block
- block body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000037390 scarring Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011499 joint compound Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012188 paraffin wax Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/22—Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G37/00—Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
- B65G37/005—Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes comprising two or more co-operating conveying elements with parallel longitudinal axes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H51/00—Forwarding filamentary material
- B65H51/14—Aprons, endless belts, lattices, or like driven elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
- B66D3/00—Portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances
- B66D3/003—Portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances using two or more cooperating endless chains
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
- B65G2201/02—Articles
- B65G2201/0214—Articles of special size, shape or weigh
- B65G2201/0217—Elongated
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
An improved gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or like objects having various outside dimensions for ultimately applying a longitudinal load thereto. The subject gripper block has an attachment point preferably at or near the center of the block body for providing a means of attachment to at least one endless chain of an injector apparatus. The improved gripper block further has a pair of gripper surfaces formed thereon, these gripper surfaces are generally planar and tilted away from each other so as to diverge away from the tubing to be gripped, at approximately 90 degrees. The gripper surfaces thus preferably provide a V-shaped engagement configuration which is quite effective in gripping objects of differing outside dimensions with no or minimal scarring of such objects.
Description
Optimized tripper Block For Coiled Tubina Injectors Backaround of the Invention This invention pertains to coiled tubing injection equipment used in the oil and gas production industry and more particularly pertains to coiled tubing gripper blocks installed in coiled tubing injection equipment. Such equipment is typically used to force coiled tubing into and out of oil and gas production wells .
Coiled, or reeled, tubing has been used for years to force coiled tubing into vertical as well as horizontal wellbores in order to perform a wide variety of operations such as completions, washing, circulating, production, production enhancement, cementing, inspecting, logging, etc.
Many coiled tubing injectors are in common use today and a number of patents relating thereto have been issued. Generally such coiled tubing injectors make use of a pair of opposed endless gripper chains mounted in a common plane. The gripper chains are usually made up of links, rollers, and gripper blocks . The gripper blocks on each drive chain opposingly engage the tubing so as to firmly grasp the tubing in such a way that upon driving the gripper chains, the gripper blocks force the tubing into or out of the wellbore. Upon setting the gripper chains into motion and thereby injecting the tubing, and upon each opposing pair of gripper blocks releasing their hold on the tubing, another pair of opposing gripper blocks grippingly engage the tubing and the cycle continues until the desired amount of tubing has been inserted or withdrawn from the wellbore, or until the gripper chains are no longer driven.
Over the years, a variety of gripper blocks to improve the -performance of coiled tubing injector units have been introduced to the art. Such improvements include designs directed to increasing the load carrying capability of the gripper block, eliminating or limiting scarring and distortion of the tubing caused by gripper block engagement, and providing the ability to accommodate differing tubing diameters without having to change gripper blocks. One such prior art gripper block is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,094,340 to Avakov, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and is specifically referenced herein.
Figs . 1A and 1B herein show the prior art gripper block discussed in the 5,094,340 patent. As depicted in Figs. 1A and 1B, such a prior art gripper block 2 has a block body 4 having a tongue 6 with a pin-hole bore 8 therein. Upon the opposite end of block body 4 there are a pair of ears 10 defining a slot 12 for accommodating a tongue 6 of an adjacently positioned block body 2 as typically installed in an injector apparatus. Ears 10 in the prior art block body 2 have respective pin-holes 14. On the upper region of block body 4 there is a gripper surface base region 16 shown having a pair of opposingly angled gripper surfaces 16a and 16b forming a V-shaped gripping region.
Figs. 2A and 2B of the drawings provide a segmented view of a typical installation of the prior art gripper blocks, disclosed in the 5, 094, 340 patent, upon a pair of parallel chains within an injector apparatus. Chains 18 typically include an inner plate 18a, outer plate 18b, pin 18c, and roller bushing 18d. Pin 18c is of sufficient length to allow it to be fitted into pin-holes 8 and 14 of prior gripper block 2.
Although, the gripper block disclosed in the 5,094,340 patent to Avakov has enjoyed commercial success, there remains a need for improving and enhancing certain characteristics of gripper blocks due to their critical importance in the operation of coiled tubing injector units.
One such characteristic of priorly known gripper blocks, such as the block disclosed in the 5, 094, 340 patent, is that the multiple pin-holes positioned horizontally within the block body, which serve as a way to secure the gripper block onto respective links of a host gripper chain, create an added machining expense as well as causing the gripper block to more likely suffer from stress induced cracking in the pin-hole regions.
Other areas in which embodiments of the prior art gripper block of the 5, 094, 340 patent are in need of improvement include increasing the structural strength of the gripper block, decreasing the complexity of machining the gripper block, reducing the weight of the gripper block, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the gripper block. These and other improvements to gripper blocks, such as the one disclosed in the above referenced 5,094,340 patent, are disclosed herein.
Suamnary of the Iaveatioa The present invention is directed toward an improved gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or like objects having various outside dimensions for ultimately applying a longitudinal load thereto. The improved gripper block has an attachment point preferably at or near the center of the block body for providing a means of attachment to at least one endless chain of an injector apparatus. The improved gripper block further has a pair of gripper surfaces formed thereon, these gripper surfaces are generally planar and tilted away from each other so as to diverge away from the tubing to be gripped, at approximately 90 degrees. The gripper surfaces thus provide a V-shaped engagement configuration which is quite effective in gripping objects of differing outside dimensions with no or minimal scarring of such objects.
The gripper body of the present gripper block further includes a tongue portion and a recessed region configured to unobstructively accommodate the tongue portion of an adjacently positioned gripper block.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art gripper block having the tongue portion thereof in view.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the gripper block shown in FIG
1A, taken in the opposite direction and having the ear portions thereof in view.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a multitude of gripper blocks as installed between a segment of a pair of gripper chains.
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the multitude of gripper blocks and gripper chains of FIG. 2A taken from below.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block having the ear portions in view.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, taken in the opposite direction of FIG. 3A and having the tongue portion in view.
FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, taken from below and having the tongue and ear portions in view.
FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, shown in the opposite direction of FIG. 3C.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a multitude of the preferred gripper blocks installed between a segment of a pair of gripper chains.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a multitude of the preferred gripper blocks and gripper chains of FIG. 4A, taken from below.
Referring now to Figs. 3A through 4B of the drawings. A
preferred embodiment of an improved gripper block 20 is shown.
Improved gripper block 20 has opposite sides 24 positioned along 'and preferably perpendicular to a lateral axis created for reference purposes, opposite ends 25 and 29 positioned along an imaginary longitudinal axis, and a tubing or other article gripping base region 36 running parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided for gripping a section of continuous tubing, tube, or other article that is to be forcefully injected or otherwise have a force imparted thereon. Such sides 24, ends 25 and 29, and gripping region 36 thereby provide an overall definition of block 20. End 25 can best be seen in Fig. 3B. Extending from 'end 25 is a generally wedged-shaped tongue 26 having sides 27.
Block sides 25 preferably have a single bore hole, or pin-hole 28, positioned along the imaginary lateral axis. However, a bore hole extending entirely through block body 20 can be replaced with, for example two bore holes, or pin-holes, which are positioned along the same imaginary lateral axis but are not interconnected to each other to form a continuous bore through the body as is preferred and illustrated in the drawings. Bore hole 28 is preferably sized and configured to fittingly receive a portion of a pin 18c which is used to secure a first inner chain plate 18b to a first outer chain plate 18a as well as a second inner chain plate and a second outer chain plate to form a chain link 18 as is known in the art. Such a chain 18 and associated plates and pins are included in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
Additionally, as is known in the art, such a chain link typically includes a roller bushing to separate the two sets of chain plates and further serves to facilitate motion and to reduce wear between a gear that drives or guides the chain within an inj ector apparatus.
Returning to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, tongue 26 is appropriately configured and dimensioned to be accommodated without interference by a slotted or recessed region 34 which is defined by inner sides 32 of a pair of ears 30 which extend outwardly from end 29 of block 20. Ears 30 are generally wedge-shaped and are appropriately configured, dimensioned, and spaced from each other to accept tongue 26 of an identical companion gripper block positioned proximate to a first companion block upon a multitude of such blocks ultimately being installed in an injection unit on a common chain in an end to opposite end fashion as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B of the drawings.
Returning again to Figs. 3A and 3B, a gripping region 36 located on the upper portion of block 20 as oriented in Figs.
3A and 3B is preferably provided with a pair of angled surfaces 36a and 36b which are angled with respect to each other so as to diverge away from the base area to form a generally V-shaped profile when viewed from either end of block 20. The surfaces in turn preferably comprise alternating ridges 38 and grooves 40 configured to resemble ACME type threads. Because such alternating ridges and grooves generally provide enhanced gripping for larger diameter tubular objects, it may be unnecessary to carry the alternating ridge and groove profile entirely to the bottom most region of 36. Thus, the bottom most . surface may be essentially flat or ridgeless, or concave as shown in the drawings. Such ridgeless, or concave, region may range from about 7 to 30 percent of the width of the nominal width of the gripper body. However, the ratio may be modified to suit individual needs.
In like manner the particular depth and width of ridge portions 38 and groove portions 40 may vary to suit particular needs . However, ridge heights ranging from 0 . 45" to 1 . 25" , with nominal ridge widths ranging from 0.90" to 2.50" and groove depths ranging from 0.075" to 0.100" , with groove pitch ranging from 0.25" to 0.312" have proven to be readily adaptable to workpieces having a variety of nominal outside diameters while providing for the escape of grease, paraffin, and mud, etc. which may be clinging to the exterior of tubular goods that are to be gripped by the gripper blocks. Region 36 may be rounded or chamfered near ends 29 and 25 so as to prevent unnecessary scaring of tubular objects as each gripper block engages and disengages therefrom when making its endless path within the injector. Further discussion on the gripping region is available for reference in the previously mentioned U. S. patent 5, 094, 340 .
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications to the improved gripper blocks as claimed may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.
What is claimed is:
Coiled, or reeled, tubing has been used for years to force coiled tubing into vertical as well as horizontal wellbores in order to perform a wide variety of operations such as completions, washing, circulating, production, production enhancement, cementing, inspecting, logging, etc.
Many coiled tubing injectors are in common use today and a number of patents relating thereto have been issued. Generally such coiled tubing injectors make use of a pair of opposed endless gripper chains mounted in a common plane. The gripper chains are usually made up of links, rollers, and gripper blocks . The gripper blocks on each drive chain opposingly engage the tubing so as to firmly grasp the tubing in such a way that upon driving the gripper chains, the gripper blocks force the tubing into or out of the wellbore. Upon setting the gripper chains into motion and thereby injecting the tubing, and upon each opposing pair of gripper blocks releasing their hold on the tubing, another pair of opposing gripper blocks grippingly engage the tubing and the cycle continues until the desired amount of tubing has been inserted or withdrawn from the wellbore, or until the gripper chains are no longer driven.
Over the years, a variety of gripper blocks to improve the -performance of coiled tubing injector units have been introduced to the art. Such improvements include designs directed to increasing the load carrying capability of the gripper block, eliminating or limiting scarring and distortion of the tubing caused by gripper block engagement, and providing the ability to accommodate differing tubing diameters without having to change gripper blocks. One such prior art gripper block is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,094,340 to Avakov, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and is specifically referenced herein.
Figs . 1A and 1B herein show the prior art gripper block discussed in the 5,094,340 patent. As depicted in Figs. 1A and 1B, such a prior art gripper block 2 has a block body 4 having a tongue 6 with a pin-hole bore 8 therein. Upon the opposite end of block body 4 there are a pair of ears 10 defining a slot 12 for accommodating a tongue 6 of an adjacently positioned block body 2 as typically installed in an injector apparatus. Ears 10 in the prior art block body 2 have respective pin-holes 14. On the upper region of block body 4 there is a gripper surface base region 16 shown having a pair of opposingly angled gripper surfaces 16a and 16b forming a V-shaped gripping region.
Figs. 2A and 2B of the drawings provide a segmented view of a typical installation of the prior art gripper blocks, disclosed in the 5, 094, 340 patent, upon a pair of parallel chains within an injector apparatus. Chains 18 typically include an inner plate 18a, outer plate 18b, pin 18c, and roller bushing 18d. Pin 18c is of sufficient length to allow it to be fitted into pin-holes 8 and 14 of prior gripper block 2.
Although, the gripper block disclosed in the 5,094,340 patent to Avakov has enjoyed commercial success, there remains a need for improving and enhancing certain characteristics of gripper blocks due to their critical importance in the operation of coiled tubing injector units.
One such characteristic of priorly known gripper blocks, such as the block disclosed in the 5, 094, 340 patent, is that the multiple pin-holes positioned horizontally within the block body, which serve as a way to secure the gripper block onto respective links of a host gripper chain, create an added machining expense as well as causing the gripper block to more likely suffer from stress induced cracking in the pin-hole regions.
Other areas in which embodiments of the prior art gripper block of the 5, 094, 340 patent are in need of improvement include increasing the structural strength of the gripper block, decreasing the complexity of machining the gripper block, reducing the weight of the gripper block, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the gripper block. These and other improvements to gripper blocks, such as the one disclosed in the above referenced 5,094,340 patent, are disclosed herein.
Suamnary of the Iaveatioa The present invention is directed toward an improved gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or like objects having various outside dimensions for ultimately applying a longitudinal load thereto. The improved gripper block has an attachment point preferably at or near the center of the block body for providing a means of attachment to at least one endless chain of an injector apparatus. The improved gripper block further has a pair of gripper surfaces formed thereon, these gripper surfaces are generally planar and tilted away from each other so as to diverge away from the tubing to be gripped, at approximately 90 degrees. The gripper surfaces thus provide a V-shaped engagement configuration which is quite effective in gripping objects of differing outside dimensions with no or minimal scarring of such objects.
The gripper body of the present gripper block further includes a tongue portion and a recessed region configured to unobstructively accommodate the tongue portion of an adjacently positioned gripper block.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art gripper block having the tongue portion thereof in view.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the gripper block shown in FIG
1A, taken in the opposite direction and having the ear portions thereof in view.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a multitude of gripper blocks as installed between a segment of a pair of gripper chains.
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the multitude of gripper blocks and gripper chains of FIG. 2A taken from below.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block having the ear portions in view.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, taken in the opposite direction of FIG. 3A and having the tongue portion in view.
FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, taken from below and having the tongue and ear portions in view.
FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present gripper block, shown in the opposite direction of FIG. 3C.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a multitude of the preferred gripper blocks installed between a segment of a pair of gripper chains.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a multitude of the preferred gripper blocks and gripper chains of FIG. 4A, taken from below.
Referring now to Figs. 3A through 4B of the drawings. A
preferred embodiment of an improved gripper block 20 is shown.
Improved gripper block 20 has opposite sides 24 positioned along 'and preferably perpendicular to a lateral axis created for reference purposes, opposite ends 25 and 29 positioned along an imaginary longitudinal axis, and a tubing or other article gripping base region 36 running parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided for gripping a section of continuous tubing, tube, or other article that is to be forcefully injected or otherwise have a force imparted thereon. Such sides 24, ends 25 and 29, and gripping region 36 thereby provide an overall definition of block 20. End 25 can best be seen in Fig. 3B. Extending from 'end 25 is a generally wedged-shaped tongue 26 having sides 27.
Block sides 25 preferably have a single bore hole, or pin-hole 28, positioned along the imaginary lateral axis. However, a bore hole extending entirely through block body 20 can be replaced with, for example two bore holes, or pin-holes, which are positioned along the same imaginary lateral axis but are not interconnected to each other to form a continuous bore through the body as is preferred and illustrated in the drawings. Bore hole 28 is preferably sized and configured to fittingly receive a portion of a pin 18c which is used to secure a first inner chain plate 18b to a first outer chain plate 18a as well as a second inner chain plate and a second outer chain plate to form a chain link 18 as is known in the art. Such a chain 18 and associated plates and pins are included in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
Additionally, as is known in the art, such a chain link typically includes a roller bushing to separate the two sets of chain plates and further serves to facilitate motion and to reduce wear between a gear that drives or guides the chain within an inj ector apparatus.
Returning to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, tongue 26 is appropriately configured and dimensioned to be accommodated without interference by a slotted or recessed region 34 which is defined by inner sides 32 of a pair of ears 30 which extend outwardly from end 29 of block 20. Ears 30 are generally wedge-shaped and are appropriately configured, dimensioned, and spaced from each other to accept tongue 26 of an identical companion gripper block positioned proximate to a first companion block upon a multitude of such blocks ultimately being installed in an injection unit on a common chain in an end to opposite end fashion as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B of the drawings.
Returning again to Figs. 3A and 3B, a gripping region 36 located on the upper portion of block 20 as oriented in Figs.
3A and 3B is preferably provided with a pair of angled surfaces 36a and 36b which are angled with respect to each other so as to diverge away from the base area to form a generally V-shaped profile when viewed from either end of block 20. The surfaces in turn preferably comprise alternating ridges 38 and grooves 40 configured to resemble ACME type threads. Because such alternating ridges and grooves generally provide enhanced gripping for larger diameter tubular objects, it may be unnecessary to carry the alternating ridge and groove profile entirely to the bottom most region of 36. Thus, the bottom most . surface may be essentially flat or ridgeless, or concave as shown in the drawings. Such ridgeless, or concave, region may range from about 7 to 30 percent of the width of the nominal width of the gripper body. However, the ratio may be modified to suit individual needs.
In like manner the particular depth and width of ridge portions 38 and groove portions 40 may vary to suit particular needs . However, ridge heights ranging from 0 . 45" to 1 . 25" , with nominal ridge widths ranging from 0.90" to 2.50" and groove depths ranging from 0.075" to 0.100" , with groove pitch ranging from 0.25" to 0.312" have proven to be readily adaptable to workpieces having a variety of nominal outside diameters while providing for the escape of grease, paraffin, and mud, etc. which may be clinging to the exterior of tubular goods that are to be gripped by the gripper blocks. Region 36 may be rounded or chamfered near ends 29 and 25 so as to prevent unnecessary scaring of tubular objects as each gripper block engages and disengages therefrom when making its endless path within the injector. Further discussion on the gripping region is available for reference in the previously mentioned U. S. patent 5, 094, 340 .
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications to the improved gripper blocks as claimed may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.
What is claimed is:
Claims (17)
1. A gripper block for use in connection with a chain in a device for moving an object selected from a group consisting of: a rod, pipe, coiled tubing, cable, and similar elongated objects, the gripper block comprising:
a) a block body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a first end having a tongue means, a second end having a recessed region for unobstructively accommodating a tongue of an adjacent gripper block, the tongue means and the recessed region being located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis;
b) means located along the lateral axis of the block body for attaching the block body onto the chain; and c) gripping region means for gripping the object to be moved.
a) a block body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a first end having a tongue means, a second end having a recessed region for unobstructively accommodating a tongue of an adjacent gripper block, the tongue means and the recessed region being located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis;
b) means located along the lateral axis of the block body for attaching the block body onto the chain; and c) gripping region means for gripping the object to be moved.
2. The gripper block of Claim 1 wherein the chain attachment means comprises: a laterally oriented bore sized and configured to fittingly accommodate a portion of a pin means extending from the chain.
3. The gripper block of Claim 1 wherein the gripping region means comprises:
a) a pair of opposing surfaces carried on the block body;
b) the opposing surfaces extending perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the block body and generally diverging each other; and c) alternating ridges and grooves running across the planar surfaces generally parallel to the lateral axis of the block body.
a) a pair of opposing surfaces carried on the block body;
b) the opposing surfaces extending perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the block body and generally diverging each other; and c) alternating ridges and grooves running across the planar surfaces generally parallel to the lateral axis of the block body.
4. The gripper block of Claim 3 wherein the recessed region is defined by a pair of ears extending from the end of the gripper block having the recessed region.
5. The gripper block of Claim 4 wherein the chain attachment means comprises: a laterally oriented bore sized and configured to fittingly accommodate a portion of a first pin means extending from a first chain positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block body and to likewise accommodate a portion of a second pin means extending from a second chain positioned opposite of the first chain.
6. The gripper block of Claim 3 wherein the opposing surfaces are generally planar and slanted at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from each other.
7. The gripper block of Claim 3 wherein the planar surfaces have ridges and grooves generally running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block body.
8. The gripper block of Claim 7 wherein the ridges of the planar surfaces have crests that are essentially flat and the grooves of the planar surfaces have roots that are essentially flat.
9. The gripper block of Claim 4 wherein the opposing surfaces forming the gripping region are shaped to resemble a V when viewed from one of the ends of the gripper block.
10. A gripper block for use in a coiled tubing injector apparatus having at least one gripper chain, the gripper block comprising:
a) a block body having a longitudinal axis and a single generally centrally located lateral axis, a first end having a tongue, a second end having a recessed region for unobstructively accommodating a tongue of an adjacent gripper block, the tongue and the recessed region being located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis;
b) a laterally oriented means of attaching the block body onto the chain coincident to the single generally centrally located lateral axis of the block body;
c) a gripping region means for engaging the tubing and transmitting injection and extraction forces upon the tubing;
d) the gripping region having a pair of opposing surfaces being carried on the block body, the surfaces extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the block body and generally diverging from each other; and e) the opposing surfaces of the gripping region having ridges defined by alternating crests and roots.
a) a block body having a longitudinal axis and a single generally centrally located lateral axis, a first end having a tongue, a second end having a recessed region for unobstructively accommodating a tongue of an adjacent gripper block, the tongue and the recessed region being located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis;
b) a laterally oriented means of attaching the block body onto the chain coincident to the single generally centrally located lateral axis of the block body;
c) a gripping region means for engaging the tubing and transmitting injection and extraction forces upon the tubing;
d) the gripping region having a pair of opposing surfaces being carried on the block body, the surfaces extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the block body and generally diverging from each other; and e) the opposing surfaces of the gripping region having ridges defined by alternating crests and roots.
11. The gripper block of Claim 10 wherein the block body has a pair of opposing ears extending from the second end thereof to partially define the recessed region thereof.
12. The gripper block of Claim 10 wherein the opposing surfaces of the gripping region are slanted at an angle less than 120 degrees from each other.
13. The gripper block of Claim 12 wherein the ridges of the opposing surfaces have crests and roots that are generally flat and the ridges generally run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block body.
14. The gripper block of Claim 12 wherein the opposing surfaces are slanted at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from each other.
15. The gripper block of Claim 10 wherein the means of attaching the block body onto the chain comprises: a single bore sized and configured to press fittingly accommodate a portion of a pin extending from the gripper chain.
16. The gripper block of Claim 15 wherein the single bore fittingly accommodates a portion of a first pin extending from a first gripper chain in a first section of the bore and accommodates a portion of a second pin extending from a second gripper chain in a second section of the bore.
17. The gripper block of Claim 10 wherein the opposing surfaces forming the gripping region are shaped to resemble a V when viewed from one of the ends of the gripper block.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/605,606 US5853118A (en) | 1996-02-22 | 1996-02-22 | Gripper block for coiled tubing injectors |
| US08/605,606 | 1996-02-22 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2197949A1 CA2197949A1 (en) | 1997-08-22 |
| CA2197949C true CA2197949C (en) | 2004-04-20 |
Family
ID=24424414
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002197949A Expired - Fee Related CA2197949C (en) | 1996-02-22 | 1997-02-19 | Optimized gripper block for coiled tubing injectors |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5853118A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0791719B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2197949C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69701046T2 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO312782B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (28)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USRE43410E1 (en) | 1997-05-02 | 2012-05-29 | Varco I/P, Inc. | Universal carrier for grippers in a coiled tubing injector |
| CA2236358C (en) * | 1997-05-02 | 2005-11-22 | Hydra Rig, Inc. | Universal carrier for grippers in a coiled tubing injector |
| US6189609B1 (en) | 1998-09-23 | 2001-02-20 | Vita International, Inc. | Gripper block for manipulating coil tubing in a well |
| NL1012599C2 (en) * | 1998-09-24 | 2000-03-27 | Hydro Nautic Services | Injector used for tubing or coiled tubing |
| WO2000017481A1 (en) * | 1998-09-24 | 2000-03-30 | Hydro-Nautic Services | Injector used for tubing or coiled tubing |
| US6148925A (en) | 1999-02-12 | 2000-11-21 | Moore; Boyd B. | Method of making a conductive downhole wire line system |
| US6230955B1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2001-05-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Multiple contour coiled tubing gripper block |
| NL1012679C2 (en) | 1999-07-23 | 2001-01-24 | Tilmar Engineering B V | System for applying a lining to the inside of pipes. |
| DE10122340A1 (en) * | 2001-05-08 | 2002-11-28 | Peter Kalkenings | Chain drawing machine for the continuous drawing of drawn material, in particular rod-shaped or tubular drawn material |
| US6672394B2 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2004-01-06 | Heartland Rigs International, Llc | Interchangeable coiled tubing support block and method of use |
| US6719043B2 (en) | 2002-05-10 | 2004-04-13 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Coiled tubing injector apparatus |
| US20040124380A1 (en) * | 2002-10-29 | 2004-07-01 | Van Winkle Denzal Wayne | Articulated slip ram for tapered coiled tubing |
| CA2414882C (en) * | 2002-12-19 | 2010-12-07 | C-Tech Energy Services Inc. | Well string injection system with gripper pads |
| US6892810B2 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2005-05-17 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Gripper block for coiled tubing injector with variable tubing size capability |
| US7124815B2 (en) * | 2004-10-19 | 2006-10-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Tubing injector for variable diameter tubing |
| US7857042B2 (en) * | 2005-03-30 | 2010-12-28 | Asep Holding B.V. | Coiled tubing injector head |
| US8544536B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2013-10-01 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Coiled tubing injector with limited slip chains |
| US9399895B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2016-07-26 | National Oilwell Varco L.P. | Coiled tubing injector head with chain guides |
| US8701754B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2014-04-22 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Coiled tubing injector with strain relief |
| WO2015020626A1 (en) | 2012-08-04 | 2015-02-12 | Absolute Oilfield Equipment, LLC | Brake, shear and cable management system and method |
| US9371706B2 (en) * | 2013-03-05 | 2016-06-21 | Celtic Machining Ltd. | Gripping dies for continuous coiled rod injectors and fabrication and use methods relating to same |
| EP2994600A4 (en) * | 2013-05-11 | 2016-04-27 | Services Petroliers Schlumberger | Deployment and retrieval system for electric submersible pumps |
| CN106437567B (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2018-09-11 | 江苏和信石油机械有限公司 | A kind of coiled tubing clamping device and the injection head using the clamping device |
| US10392875B2 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2019-08-27 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Gripper assembly for continuous rod and methods of use thereof |
| US10661363B2 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2020-05-26 | Absolute Oilfield Equipment, LLC | Cable shearing apparatus and method |
| CN110509072A (en) * | 2019-09-05 | 2019-11-29 | 保定华森电力设备制造有限公司 | A kind of numerical control angle steel typewriting punching shearing process units |
| USD988859S1 (en) * | 2020-04-24 | 2023-06-13 | T&T Tools International Llc | Modular clamp block for tubing |
| US11105162B1 (en) | 2020-05-26 | 2021-08-31 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Radial/curved v-shaped gripper block for tubing injectors |
Family Cites Families (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1355449A (en) * | 1920-10-12 | Cutter or grippes for use in drawing sheet-glass | ||
| US2679924A (en) * | 1950-04-22 | 1954-06-01 | Western Electric Co | Strand-advancing apparatus |
| FR1122762A (en) * | 1955-04-18 | 1956-09-12 | Device for guiding sheet metal strips | |
| US3108682A (en) * | 1961-02-16 | 1963-10-29 | Continental Can Co | Glass jar grippers |
| US3285485A (en) * | 1964-01-23 | 1966-11-15 | Bowen Tools Inc | Apparatus for handling tubing or other elongate objects |
| US3258110A (en) * | 1964-11-02 | 1966-06-28 | Bowen Tools Inc | Endless chain apparatus |
| US3559905A (en) * | 1968-01-09 | 1971-02-02 | Corod Mfg Ltd | roeder; Werner H. |
| US3606810A (en) * | 1969-05-28 | 1971-09-21 | Rogers Corp | Continuous stock feeder |
| US3615154A (en) * | 1969-09-19 | 1971-10-26 | Youngstown Sheet And Tube Co | Gripper |
| US3945547A (en) * | 1970-04-03 | 1976-03-23 | Wean United Inc. | Tractive apparatus |
| US3754474A (en) * | 1971-09-01 | 1973-08-28 | Corod Mfg Ltd | Gripper pad |
| US3841407A (en) * | 1973-01-02 | 1974-10-15 | J Bozeman | Coil tubing unit |
| US3869038A (en) * | 1973-08-09 | 1975-03-04 | Stearns Mfg Co | Article conveying apparatus |
| CA992114A (en) * | 1973-12-05 | 1976-06-29 | Sieghard Arnold | Transport device for web material |
| US4064987A (en) * | 1976-02-12 | 1977-12-27 | Rowan Daniel J | Conveyor system for handling non-rigid containers |
| US4585061A (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1986-04-29 | Hydra-Rig Incorporated | Apparatus for inserting and withdrawing coiled tubing with respect to a well |
| US4515220A (en) * | 1983-12-12 | 1985-05-07 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Apparatus and method for rotating coil tubing in a well |
| US4624726A (en) * | 1985-06-06 | 1986-11-25 | Ltv Aerospace And Defense Company | Apparatus for forming elongate structures of composite materials |
| US4655291A (en) * | 1985-09-23 | 1987-04-07 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Injector for coupled pipe |
| US4787505A (en) * | 1986-11-18 | 1988-11-29 | Carl Strutz & Company | Workpiece carrier assembly |
| US5094340A (en) * | 1990-11-16 | 1992-03-10 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Gripper blocks for reeled tubing injectors |
| CA2037240C (en) * | 1991-02-27 | 1997-09-30 | Leon Jantzen | Guide arch for tubing |
| US5309990A (en) * | 1991-07-26 | 1994-05-10 | Hydra-Rig, Incorporated | Coiled tubing injector |
| IT1252904B (en) * | 1991-12-24 | 1995-07-05 | Danieli Off Mecc | DRAWING GROUP FOR TRAFILA |
-
1996
- 1996-02-22 US US08/605,606 patent/US5853118A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-02-19 CA CA002197949A patent/CA2197949C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-02-19 DE DE69701046T patent/DE69701046T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-02-19 EP EP97301051A patent/EP0791719B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-02-20 NO NO19970778A patent/NO312782B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0791719A1 (en) | 1997-08-27 |
| NO970778D0 (en) | 1997-02-20 |
| DE69701046T2 (en) | 2000-09-14 |
| DE69701046D1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
| EP0791719B1 (en) | 2000-01-05 |
| NO312782B1 (en) | 2002-07-01 |
| US5853118A (en) | 1998-12-29 |
| CA2197949A1 (en) | 1997-08-22 |
| NO970778L (en) | 1997-08-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |